Disclaimer: "Sailor Moon" and its' characters are owned by Naoko Takeuchi and whoever else was involved with the creation and production of this anime/manga. Any new characters and story lines that come into play are of my own creation. No copyright infringement is intended. This is a fan fiction intended for entertainment purposes only and no money is being made off of it.
Chapter 2: The Messenger
Tenshiko awoke to a rainy Sunday morning. She noticed the sleeping bag already rolled up. She heard voices downstairs. One was Katori's and the other was her noisy Aunt. She knew her Aunt Gwen was probably trying to get information out of Katori about Tenshiko. Her aunt was a doctor at Starr City Medical Center. Tenshiko believed that Gwen wanted her to get psychiatric attention. She smiled at the thought as she got dressed and went downstairs.
Tenshiko made sure that her Aunt could hear her coming down the stairs. Tenshiko also walked carefully to make sure that she did not reveal that her side was in pain. She entered the kitchen saying a quick "Good morning."
Her aunt smiled lovingly but with a worried look glint in her eyes. "Good morning Tenshiko."
Tenshiko sat across Katori, who was eating some fruit with her sausage and French toast. Tenshiko grabbed some hot sausage, and French toast.
Gwen sat at the head of the table with a steaming mug of coffee in her hands. She smiled.
Tenshiko gave a quiet sigh as she waited patiently for her aunt to question Katori's unexpected appearance at breakfast.
"So, Katori, what time did you come over last night?" asked Gwen.
Katori's face was calm and didn't flinch at the older woman's searching look. "About 9:30."
"I didn't hear you come in." She smiled, but it never reached her eyes that continued to hold the questioning look.
"I was quiet. I did not wish to disturb you."
Before Gwen could interrogate Katori anymore, Tenshiko spoke. "You remember Aunt Gwen that we have sleepovers the Saturday before school starts."
Aunt Gwen looked at Tenshiko's unwavering eyes, and gave a slight start. She covered it up, by taking a sip of her coffee. "Yes. I guess I forgot about the sleepover. It seems I have also forgotten that you have school tomorrow." She was silent as the two girls finished their breakfast.
Tenshiko noticed that she tried to look into Tenshiko's eyes more than once, and would cover it up by taking a sip of her coffee. Why does she keep on looking at me like that?
Katori and Tenshiko put their dishes and silverware into the dishwasher, and went out the door before Gwen decided to ask any more questions.
Tenshiko could feel Katori studying her as they walked. Katori must have noticed that Gwen had been startled, and was wondering what it was all about. Tenshiko couldn't blame her. She kept things from her mother, and Gwen. She also kept things from Katori, and Tenshiko knew that Katori suspected something was up.
"Where do you want to go to today?" Tenshiko asked Katori.
Before Katori could answer, a scream erupted into the air. The girls broke into a run toward Starr Center.
When they reached their destination, they ducked behind some trees. The new monster was slimy like an eel, and had the same face as one too. Only that it seemed as though some mad scientist had decided to give the creature arms and legs. Before the creature, was about ten people laying unconscious on the ground. The creature's grin showed sharp teeth.
"Guardian Power!"
"Soul Power!"
White and silver light surrounded Tenshiko. The lights then became feathers, and as the feather's landed onto Tenshiko, they molded into each piece of the uniform.
Next to Tenshiko, Katori was surrounded by black and silver light. She had a black bow, and with silver trim on her black boots. Her tiara had an onyx gem, and with silver wings on either side of it.
"Are you sure you can fight?" Sailor Soul asked, noting Sailor Guardian's side.
"Yes. I'm sure." Sailor Guardian jumped out of the trees and sent her attack at the monster.
The creature barely dodged Guardian's Feather Strike. It growled in anguish. The creature threw open it's arms, and eel like creatures flew at her.
"Soul Shadow Envelops!"
The eels disintegrated. The Big Eel looked at Sailor Soul with supreme hatred and its face was more disgusting than before. The Big Eel sent dozens of the smaller eels, but the two Scouts either dodged them or destroyed them with their attacks.
Sailor Guardian ignored the throbbing pain on her left side as she dodged the attacks from the Big Eel.
Police sirens reached Sailor Guardian's ears. Her determination to defeat this creature grew. She looked at Sailor Soul who understood the unsaid message of distracting the creature.
"SOUL SHADOW ENVELOPS!" The attack sent at the Big Eel caused it to face Sailor Soul.
Sailor Guardian watched carefully as Sailor Soul delivered kicks and punches to the creature. She silently walked around to the backside of the creature. Right when Sailor Soul backed off, Sailor Guardian sent her attack.
"GUARDIAN FEATHER STRIKE!"
The Big Eel, unable to determine the origin of the attack, was instantly turned into the black liquid. Like before, the liquid evaporated away.
As the police arrived, all they saw was almost a dozen people standing around with a mixture of confusion and fear on their faces.
Tenshiko and Katori watched from their hiding spot as the police tried to get answers from the people. Then they quickly left their hiding place, and went to the Rose Café for a couple of milkshakes.
Once they had sat down at their usual booth, they were instantly served chocolate and vanilla milkshakes.
"There you go guys, your usual," said Dearg.
"Well Dearg. But what made you think we wanted milkshakes?" Tenshiko asked her lips in an angry scowl, but with amusement in her eyes.
"You two always order the same thing," he replied with a similar scowl, but with a twinkle in his eye.
"You assume too much," said Katori.
Tenshiko watched as Dearg and Katori went back and forth 'arguing' about the usual order and assuming too much. Tenshiko was grinning as Katori was teasing Dearg. Tenshiko's grin grew larger as she realized that her black haired friend was flirting not teasing. Her grin turned to a look of concentration. A prickly sensation of déjà vu had struck her like a viper biting into her skin. Why does this seem familiar?
"Tenshiko, are you all right?" Katori asked, with a worried voice.
Tenshiko saw her friend look at her side. Tenshiko shook her head at Katori's unsaid question, and smiled at Dearg's worried frown.
"I'm fine. I was just getting tired of you two flirting." She took a sip of her milkshake.
Dearg's face and ears turned a bright red as he mumbled about his other customers, even though the two girls were the only ones there. After he left, Katori gave Tenshiko a look.
Tenshiko ignored the look, and her amused grin turned to seriousness. "That is the second attack in two days."
"Yeah. Do you have a theory as to why these attacks are happening so close together?"
Tenshiko shook her head, trying to bring forth scattered thoughts that were flying around her head. "I don't know. It's just a little strange. Before, the attacks were a few days or even a few weeks apart. Two in two days is just suspicious to me."
Katori took a sip of her milkshake, her usual calm demeanor changed to deep thought. "Maybe whoever is sending these monsters is desperate for energy."
"Yes. That does make sense. We have to be careful."
Katori nodded in agreement. They returned to their milkshakes and began talking about school the next day.
A shadow walked down a tunnel without making a sound. The walls of the long tunnel were covered in black moisture that clung there but did not drip onto the floor. A hand of the shadow revealed itself in a dim green light that came from a glowing vine that was every twenty feet or so. It showed green scales and webbed fingers. The shadow reached the end of the tunnel, and entered into a large cavern. Fear was clearly on its face as it walked closer to an obsidian pedestal that held a basin of black liquid. The fear never reached its glowing eyes.
There were several vines that there was enough light to show the face of the creature. The creature had the same green scales as its hand. Its eyes were blue orbs that glowed in the light. The once shadowed creature reached the edge of the pedestal and peered into the black liquid.
The black liquid began to swirl and a cold, voice came from the basin. "Th...ere is no room for fail…ure, Lord Las…u."
The shadow stared at the swirling water and spoke to it. "My king, the two human females defeated the creatures that were sent. They are powerful, and fight well."
Lord Lasu imagined his master glaring at him. Lasu felt compelled to ignore his master's orders, but knew what would happen if he did.
"I rem…mem….ber," the hollow voice paused as though in thought. "Learn more about th…em. Send the weaker Collectors to find out their weak…ness…ess."
Lord Lasu bowed to the basin, which he thought rather foolish, but did it anyway. "Yes Master. As you command."
Lord Lasu turned to leave, but his master called him back. "Did Lady Dhuam find what I se…ek?"
"No Master. Lady Dhuam still searches."
"Tell her to search every corner of Starr City!" The hollow voice boomed and the cavern shook as though a herd of buffalo's had run across the ceiling.
"Yes Master."
Lord Lasu left the basin and headed into the tunnel. As he headed toward Lady Dhuam's chambers to give her the order, his thoughts turned to what his master had said. 'I remember'. What did he mean by that? Possibilities ran through his head as he walked. Lasu ignored the creatures that bowed to him as he passed. What does he know?
He entered Lady Dhuam's chambers. The walls were covered with silken blue hangings. A table, made from stone, held a pitcher and four goblets. Next to the stone table was a pool of eerie blue water. Pink-skinned servants stood at the side of the pool, with their heads bowed. In the water was the blue-skinned Lady Dhuam.
Lasu watched as she gracefully stepped up out of the pool. She didn't even gaze in the direction of her pink-skinned servants as they disappeared through the servant door.
She picked up one of the goblets, and took a sip. Her fingers were covered with rings that held blue stones that shimmered as she set the goblet down. Lady Dhuam indicated the cushioned chairs that were made from a blue stone.
"This isn't a social call Dhuam."
Her green eyes widened. "Oh. Why are you here then, Lasu?"
"He has ordered you to broaden your search of Starr City."
Her blue lips shifted into a frown. "My Seekers have found nothing that He seeks." She gave a delicate sigh. "It is difficult. There are too many humans."
"Yes. There certainly are."
"I heard that your Collectors have been attracting unwanted attention," she smirked.
Lasu started to boil to anger. "Those humans have protectors. I will find those humans and destroy them!"
"My, my Lord Lasu. Calm yourself."
Lasu breathed through the gills on the side of his neck. "I must take my leave Dhuam."
"Very well."
Lasu eyes glowed as he left Dhuam's chambers. I will defeat them. I must defeat them.
guardianM3: Please review to express your thoughts, comments, constructive criticism, etc.